 Cody's been enjoying himself at his Cuba resort ever since he found out he was going home to Canada soon.
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SANTA LUCIA, Cuba - Being trapped on a tropical island for three months likely sounds like a dream come true to most people.
But when you're only 19, the island is communist Cuba and you're facing several years in prison, it's more of a nightmare -- one that Cody LeCompte is happy to finally be waking up from.
Breathing a little easier knowing Canadian and Cuban officials are now working together to get him home, the stranded Simcoe, Ont. teen finally took some time out for himself -- between the flood of media interviews -- and headed to the beach.
"I actually cried when I saw him out there today," Danette LeCompte told the Sun after seeing her son on the beach Friday. Danette, who has raised her son on her own since his dad passed away about four years ago, splurged on the Caribbean island getaway as a reward for her son's acceptance into college.
When they arrived in Santa Lucia near the end of April, the beach was teeming with tourists. Now the tourist season is over and the beach virtually empty. But Cody is determined to salvage some enjoyment out of his trip.
"Now that I know I'm coming home, I can finally start to try to enjoy the vacation I missed out on," he said.
Aside from enjoying the sun, sand and surf, his uncle has booked a deep-sea fishing trip for him on Sunday.
It was on just their third day in Cuba that Cody and his mom rented a car and left the resort for a day-trip. Cody was behind the wheel when they were T-boned by a truck in an unmarked intersection.
Cody spent the next few weeks recovering from broken bones, cuts and bruises.
During that time the teen learned he would not be allowed to leave Cuba until the accident was investigated.
"After that, I just didn't feel like leaving the room," said Cody, who was never charged and maintains the accident wasn't his fault.
"Mostly, I was thinking about going to jail," he added. "I've been living with the threat of being locked away in a prison that I can only imagine what it might be like."
Cody's spirits were lifted Wednesday when he received the news he was free to go home as long as he posted $2,000 Cuban pesos for bail and agreed to return to Cuba when, and if, there's a trial.
Authorities in Havana have yet to officially sign off on the deal, but the LeComptes remain hopeful they will be able to fly home Tuesday.
